Press Releases
2.02.26
Dykema, a leading national law firm, announced today that Michael P. Cooney was selected as an inductee to the Michigan Lawyers Weekly Hall of Fame. As a member of the Hall of Fame, Cooney will be recognized at a luncheon honoring the Class of 2026. In addition, a special Hall of Fame supplement will be published in Michigan Lawyers Weekly.
According to the publication, the Hall of Fame program recognizes Michigan’s legal leaders for their successful careers and valuable contributions to the community. “These legendary lawyers have made their mark, either in the courtroom or the boardroom, in their law firms or legal departments, with community organizations, and with local, state, and national bar associations.”
Cooney is one of the nation’s most accomplished trial lawyers and is widely regarded for his ability to defend high-profile, high-exposure cases in some of the most challenging venues in the country. Throughout his career, he has built a national reputation for representing Fortune 500 companies in complex product liability, class action, intellectual property, and commercial litigation matters—often involving catastrophic injuries, highly technical subject matter, and intense emotional stakes.
Trained as an engineer and seasoned in intellectual property and product liability litigation, Cooney is known for his ability to translate complex technical concepts into clear, persuasive courtroom presentations. His trial record includes defense verdicts in numerous high-stakes cases across the country, frequently in jurisdictions viewed as difficult for corporate defendants.
Among his notable trial victories are: Allie Mead v. General Motors (Clark County, Nevada), where Cooney led the defense of General Motors in a four-week jury trial involving claims of defective occupant restraints and successfully defeated claims seeking more than $70 million in damages; Harman v. Key Safety Systems, Inc. (Mobile County, Alabama), in which Cooney secured a defense verdict in a case involving catastrophic injuries and claimed damages exceeding $22 million; Sally Small v. Ford Motor Co. and Key Safety Systems, Inc. (U.S. District Court, Southern District of Florida), where a jury returned a defense verdict in under two hours after a three-week trial involving claims exceeding $100 million; and Kline v. General Motors Corp. (St. Louis City, Missouri), a defense verdict in a wrongful death case later affirmed on appeal.
These matters are representative of a broader national trial practice in which leading automotive manufacturers and other major corporations routinely retain Cooney to defend their most consequential litigation. His experience spans industries including automotive, medical devices, recreational vehicles, industrial equipment, consumer products, and emerging technologies.
In addition to his trial practice, Cooney has played a significant leadership role within Dykema for more than a decade as Director of the firm’s 200-plus-attorney Litigation Department, following earlier service as leader of the firm’s Product Liability Practice Group. In these roles, he has helped shape the firm’s litigation strategy, mentored dozens of trial lawyers, and established standards for managing large, complex, multi-jurisdictional matters.
Cooney’s professional leadership extends beyond the firm. He is a Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers and a Member of the American Board of Trial Advocates—two of the most prestigious and selective organizations in the legal profession. He has also served in leadership roles with the State Bar of Michigan, including on the Litigation Section Council, as Programs Chair, and on the Character and Fitness Committee, as well as with the Detroit Metropolitan Bar Association’s Litigation Section.
Cooney earned a J.D. and a B.S.M.E. from the University of Notre Dame.
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